T-bar for a ski lift

Abstract

 A 'T' bar is provided which is formed as one piece from polyurethane or other material, moulded about a connecting insert, the seat having a ribbed surface.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a 'T' bar for use on a ski drag.

[0002] Ski drags are installations at ski slopes comprising a driven endless belt or wire carrying 'T' bars on spring linkages at intervals along the belt or wire. In use a skier takes a 'T' bar and places it so that the shaft of the 'T' bar lies between the legs of the skier and the cross-pieces of the 'T' bar lie behind the legs of the skier forming a seat. The skier is then dragged in upright posture up the slope on his skis.

[0003] At present 'T' bars are constructed of sub-components made of wood, metal or plastics materials which are fastened together to form the 'T' bar. Such 'T' bars often break. Ingress of water between sub-components can be a factor in such failure.

[0004] The applicants have realised that existing design faults can be overcome by using a unitary construction. Accordingly this invention provides a 'T' bar of unitary construction. Advantageously the 'T' bar may be moulded of plastics material e.g. polyurethane. The plastics material may be protected from ultra-violet light-induced degradation by admixture of carbon black or other inhibitors.

[0005] In a preferred form the 'T' bar may be made by integrally moulding plastics material about a connecting insert, for attachment of the 'T' bar to the ski drag.

[0006] Advantageously the 'T' bar cross-pieces (which form a seat in use) are ribbed transversely to their length to assist skiers in stabilising themselves when being dragged up a ski slope.

[0007] The invention is illustrated by way of example only in the drawings in which:-

Fig. l shows a 'T' bar in front elevation; and

Fig. 2 shows the 'T' bar of Fig. l in side elevation.

[0008] The 'T' bar l is made of polyurethane material containing 0.5% by weight of carbon black and 0.25% by weight graphite as an ultra-violet degradation inhibitor. The polyurethane material is a dense polyurethane which is gravity poured into moulds and thermally set. A two part system comprising curative and pre-polymer is used. The curative (UNICURE M - Trade Mark of Uniroyal Limited) is used as a curative for diamine types of liquid pre-polymer. The pre-polymer (ADIPRENE L325 - Trade Mark of Uniroyal Limited) is a polyether based liquid urethane polymer which in its uncured form contains a small amount (about 5 per cent) of free toluene di-isocyanate. The combination of curative, pre-polymer, and carbon black/­graphite inhibitor sets on curing to give a polyurethane of high tensile strength, hardness and abrasion resistance and low compression set.

[0009] Typical properties of set ADIPRENE L325 are:-

[0010] The 'T' bar comprises a shaft 2 and cross-pieces 3; the cross-pieces 3 forming a seat which has ribbing 4 to assist in stabilising a skier. At the end of the shaft 2 remote from the cross-pieces 3 is a connecting insert 5 (in this embodiment a threaded rod insert) for connecting the 'T' bar to the ski drag.

Claims

1. A 'T' bar for use on a ski drag, characterised in that the 'T' bar is of unitary construction.

2. A 'T' bar as claimed in claim l in which the 'T' bar in of plastics material integrally moulded about a connecting insert.

3. A 'T' bar as claimed in claim 2 in which the plastics material contains an inhibitor to protect against ultra-violet light-induced degradation.

4. A 'T' bar as claimed in any preceding claim in which the cross-pieces of the 'T' bar form a seat having a ribbed surface.

Drawing